HOLLOMAN AFB, N.M. -- There are only about a dozen F-117s left at Holloman Air Force Base, but they won't be there for much longer.

The F-117s have been around since the '80’s, and only a little more than 50 were created, but now these jets are getting ready to rest.

Joe Shroka, 49th Fighter Wing crew chief, said, “It's been a pleasure working on the aircraft while it's been on active duty. It's one of a kind. The people that have worked on it are very proud of what they've worked on.”

The entire fleet of nighthawks will be retired in April, leaving some changes for the future.

"It’s pretty much out with the old and in with the new," said Richard Pekala, senior airman.

For some, the retirement is bittersweet. It means they'll take what they already know and adapt.

I think everyone's anxious to get their hands working on the 22-- new technology, something new to learn.” Pekala said.

The fighters, each with a bomber's capability, have been a way of life for only those airmen staffed at Holloman.

The stealth fighter, lacking a single right angle, has had no other home.

There are still months until the last of them fly out, meaning much more is left to be done.

One crew is working on transforming one of the last working aircrafts into a display.

Pekala said, “We will still have jets in the fleet. What we're doing is a static display. It's a monument for Holloman Air Force Base.”

When the last of them fly out, there will be a new focus.

“There's still going to be lots to do with training and getting ready for the new jet to come in, ” said Nathan Gano, fabrication officer in charge.

The first two F-22s, or Raptors, will arrive in June so pilots can train with them. The others will arrive one by one until about 40 f-22's call Holloman home.

Work has already been done on the base to make way for the Raptor. Government funding in the amount of $19.5 million for 2008 has allowed for Holloman to transform the base to accommodate its new F-22s, including transforming hangars and upgrading runways.

“The F-22 is newer. It's got a lot of the same characteristics as the F-117 does, and it can fight back,” Shroka said.

”It's going to be sad that we're not going to be the only one to have this single plane at our base," said Gano.

Other bases in Florida, Virginia and Alaska will also host the Raptor.

Some F-117s fly out next week, but the last of the stealth bombers fly out on April 21.